Syria’s Ministry of Defense released a promotional video outlining what it describes as expanded humanitarian and civil efforts carried out alongside its military duties in recent months. In the video, the ministry states that its “duty of defense and humanitarian response” goes beyond protection and includes “humanitarian contributions and urgent responses in various regions, despite the challenges.” The production presents footage and narration emphasizing environmental campaigns, infrastructure repairs and aid distribution across parts of northern and eastern Syria.
One of the featured initiatives is a nationwide tree planting campaign. “A tree for every soldier, promotes environmental awareness,” the narrator says. According to the ministry, over 200,000 trees were planted by army units in several areas. The campaign, the video states, aims to “reinforce the culture of life and reconstruction.” The ministry did not specify exact dates for the campaign or provide independent verification of the figures cited in the video.
Safe Corridors and Food Support in Aleppo, Jazeera
The video also focuses on measures taken during periods of tension in Aleppo and the Syrian Jazeera region. It states that the ministry opened “safe humanitarian corridors” in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, as well as in areas of the Jazeera region, to ensure civilian movement and protection.
In addition to security measures, the ministry highlights its response to food supply disruptions. “Bread is a red line,” the narrator says, referring to shortages that affected bakeries in the Jazeera and Aleppo regions. The ministry states that it intervened to secure supplies and maintain bread production.
Balanced food aid was also distributed to residents in villages and towns in eastern Aleppo, the city of Ayn al-Arab and parts of the Syrian Jazeera region, according to the video. The ministry describes the distributions as part of its broader humanitarian role. No external aid agencies were cited in the video as partners in the food or corridor initiatives.
Bridge Repairs, Mine Clearance and Flood Response
Beyond immediate relief efforts, the ministry points to infrastructure work following military tensions in the Syrian Jazeera region. It states that repairs began on the damaged Albukamal bridge and that a complete bridge was constructed to connect the two banks of Deir Ezzor city. The goal, according to the narration, was to facilitate civilian movement while major bridges underwent rehabilitation.
Engineering units also conducted mine clearance operations in Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and most areas of the Jazeera region. The ministry says it removed thousands of mines and war remnants and cleared tunnels to “protect civilian lives and pave the way for the return of normalcy.”
The video concludes by highlighting an emergency response to flooding in camps west of Idlib. Military engineering and medical teams were mobilized to provide care and open roads to enable rapid humanitarian access. Describing itself as “an army that protects, assists, and builds,” the Ministry of Defense says the initiatives reflect its continuing national and humanitarian role.
